Business Structure
Saudi Arabia’s business structure is centered around family. The key employees are usually extended family. “Nepotism is a way of life and the idea that positions would not be given to family members is incomprehensible. Family-based structure is when a company is developed along strong hierarchical lines with the majority of power being held at the top by the senior, usually the older family members” (World Business Culture, 2013). Expats should spend a considerable amount of time trying to build relationships with colleagues. Although, they may not know who is connected, they should treat every contact as an important lead. “A seemingly lowly employee may prove to be a relative of a senior figure and therefore of greater potential help than some other apparently more important contact” (World Business Culture, 2013). It will help to have an understanding of the individual roles and existing hierarchy of a Saudi Arabian business before entering the company. Managers or senior executives make all decisions and then implement all plans to lower level employees. Subordinates do not question the decisions that have been reached; they just wait to be told what to do.
“Saudi Arabia has a male-dominated society. Although some women work, they play traditional roles and rarely attain positions of similar income and authority as men” (Katz, 2010). Western expatriate women will find many restrictions in the country and showing confidence and/or assertiveness can be counter-productive. It is recommended that expat women do not appear too bold or aggressive, which may create major issues. These American traits should be avoided in all situations. Women should act professional and conservative at all times (e.g. busin...
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References
Excutive Planet. (2006). Retrieved from http://www.executiveplanet.com/index.php?title=Saudi_Arabia:_Appointment_Alert%21
Saudi Arabia Business Etiquette & Culture. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/saudi-arabia.htm
Kwintessential. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/intercultural/management/saudiarabia.html
World Business Culture. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Saudi-Arabian-Business-Structures.html
Islamic Finder. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.islamicfinder.org/
Al-Ghamdi, S. M. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/manishonlin/international-business-practices-in-saudi-arabia
Katz, L. (2010). Negotiating International Business - Saudi Arabia. Retrieved from http://instruction2.mtsac.edu/rjagodka/BUSM_51_Project/Negotiate_html/SaudiArabia.htm
Saudi Arabia is commonly known for its strict moral values and customs regarding religion and women. Gender discrimination is a global conflict but it is prevalently seen in Saudi Arabia. Gender discrimination is so poignant in Saudi Arabia because there are strict sets of moral guidelines and ideologies that Saudi Arabian culture implements on its people. Although Saudi Arabian men impose restrictions on women for the sake of upholding their cultural beliefs and family’s honor, there is no doubt that Saudi Arabian culture is male dominated and holds misogynistic views on women, but progress is being made.
It is bordered by Iraq and Jordan on the north, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates on the east, Oman and Yemen on the south. The Arabian Gulf Sea surrounded from the east and the Red Sea from the west. Saudi Arabia is a traditional monarchy. Al Saud dynasty is a royal family of the kingdom. The population of the kingdom was estimated to be 29,369,428 in 2014 - the 43rd largest in the world (Worldpopulationreview.com, 2014). In the technology side, Saudi Arabia is becoming focused on technology. They increase the spending on connectivity and human resources (Saudi Arabia Emergence of Innovation Kingdom,
"Report: The Women in the Middle East Workplace 2011 - Survey." National Council for Research on Women. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
In the book, Women in the Middle East, a Saudi Arabian proverb states, "A girl possesses nothing but a veil and a tomb" (Harik and Marston 83). The key words, "veil" and "tomb" lend evidence to the fact that many Middle Eastern women lack identity symbolized by the “veil” and lack the right of ownership except for their veil and the tomb. This statement further enforces the notion that many women in the Middle East are expected to serve and tolerate the oppression of the men in their lives throughout their lives on this earth. Moreover, it confirms that many of these women do not get the opportunity to obtain education, join the work force, and even participate in the political affairs of the country. This arrangement further helps the Middle Eastern men to view women as their properties, servants, or even as slaves. Ultimately, there are three main reasons why Middle Eastern men engage in the act of oppressing their women.
The place of women in Saudi society is determined by a deeply conservative culture, vindicated by a narrow interpretation of religion, and enforced by law. That place it would appear is at home, subservient to and legally dependant on their male guardian. Saudi society suffers from pervasive segregation along gender lines and women's freedom of movement is impeded, forcing them to rely on male chaperons.
The authors identify that there are three main factors that effect how people act, think, and make decisions. The first is religion, in some countries faith plays an important role in all areas of life in the culture of the country and can influence many of their customs and behavior. The second factor is that of fact. In many countries their greatest desire is to find the best deal and the best product or services. The final factor is feeling, if a culture is based on feelings the people will conduct business accordingly. For example it would be essential to make a personal connection with this type of individual.
First of all, Saudi Arabia and China have some similarities. The former has the international airports and the latter has too. Saudi Arabia keen on literature just as China does. Fast food is popular not only in China put also in Saudi Arabia, for examples, Mc Donald's hamburgers, French fries and Kentucky fried chicken. In addition, both Saudi Arabia and China have made a mutually enriching exchange of cuisine. There are Chinese restaurants in Saudi Arabia, where diners can enjoy Chinese food, for instance Chinese meal in Suzhou with rice, shrimp, eggplant and vegetable s...
The Women of the Middle East have played substantial roles for their corresponding countries since the advent of colonialism in the region. Middle Eastern women have worked in all types of fields including medicine, education, agriculture, government, private sector, and even defense. They have kept roofs over their family’s heads while their husbands were away in wars, or even in foreign countries to work in jobs that they could not find in their own countries. The roles of women in the countries of Yemen and Oman are no exception, but while they still find ways to contribute to their country, they care constantly stereotyped, discriminated, and ridiculed by men who are known and unknown to them. This paper will discuss the individual contributions of the women living in Yemen and Oman, and will discuss in further state laws and cultural norms that are affecting the women living in these countries today.
Most marriages in Kuwait are arranged, in accordance with tradition (cousin marriage to the daughter of his aunt). However, this has been changing nowadays and it is easy to find a man who is married a foreigner women, where some people are against this marriage. Therefore, it considers to be offensive for Kuwaiti woman to marry an expatriate man because women, regardless of their age, need their father's permission to marry. In regards to the administration, if someone want to get married he or she has to get an approval for interior ministry in Kuwait as these procedures are amid at reducing this phenomenon. [1]In this essay, I will look at the Kuwaiti society views then I will answer this question and give my own critical explanation. 112W
International businesses are also finding new ways of increasing diversity abroad. Instead of using expatriate employees as management, they are starting to hire locals. Companies that operate abroad are realizing that using expatriate employees is not a permanent solution. They are often expensive, and are not capable of translating their skills into the new environment. In a company that operates globally, it is important that the company knows how to relate to the local markets, and a great way to do this is by hiring local talent. Hiring locally is cheaper, there is not a language barrier, and they are accustomed to the business environment in the area(5). They can also help the business by providing a new perspective into international markets, and offer ways that the company can improve their diversity abroa...
Both countries have nearly identical scores in the dimension of masculinity. This exhibits the driving cultural forces of competition and achievement, with success held in high regard over other values. With Uncertainty Avoidance, the country is once again polarized. With the USA's relatively low score, the culture exhibits acceptance for new ideas with an emphasis on innovation and toleration. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Saudi Arabia maintains rigidity in belief systems and acceptable behaviors and ideas, valuing security over uncertainty.
...Arabia is a petrostate. Oil dominates the national economy, international exports, and the nation’s politics. It has greatly shaped what the kingdom is today. Having started out as somewhat of a tourist economy, the kingdom has become a world, monetary power. From their massive amounts of oil and extremely cheap production, the country has been able to gain large amounts of affluence and political power. With its large abundance of oil, the country has been able to profit immensely on sales and spur diplomatic outcomes to their benefit due to the great need of the resource. Without the discovery oil, Saudi Arabia would be of little importance in the modern world, having the Grand Mosque be the extent of its importance. But because of its discovery of oil, Saudi Arabia became of international importance, coming to be one of the greatest assets to world superpowers.
Evaluating the degree of gender stratification in Saudi Arabia in comparison to other Middle Eastern counties requires the inclusion of Islamic fundamentals principles in the interpretation of their moral code. Alsaleh (2012) notes the lowest rate of female education and the highest levels of gender restrictions of women are most prevalent within Middle Eastern countries that enforce Islamic doctrine. Saudi Arabia exemplifies the moral and gender-specific Islamic prohibitions through their lack of law “addressing violence against women” (Alsaleh 2012:125), noting that violent crimes against women are rarely reported for fear of reprisal, and discussing them publically is prohibited. Prohibitions against unchaperoned travel and the freedom of assembly impede Saudi women ability to exercise their civil liberties, such as voting, and the ability to congregate with other women. Gender inequality in employment is evident, as Saudi women comprise only five percent of the nation’s work force (Purdy 2011), with more than one-half of employed Saudi women holding college degrees in comparison to only 16 percent of Saudi males (Alsaleh 2012).
Recently, UAE Government statistics show that expats make up over 88% of the UAE population while Emiratis proportion is relatively small about 11% of the population (Nissar Hoath, 2011). In fact, United Arab Emirates is considered as one of the countries that have a massive numbers of foreigners. Subsequently, it led to a huge imbalance in the demographic structure which eventually resulted other social and cultural concerns. UAE nationals are struggling every day with this imbalance as they feel they are under threat of losing their identity, values, customs, tradition and language. Furthermore, there are some challenges they face because of the way some foreigners behave and act. Therefore, the UAE government should act immediately to control
On the other hand, research shows profitability dropping by the double digits when a company is handed down from one generation to the next. Some things that cross-cultural workers should know is, nepotism still happens among cross-cultural workers in today’s society, most often when third culture kids want to return to the culture where they grew up. Of course, their parents are often still there and are likely to be in leadership roles since they are more mature and have had more experience there than most others on the field. When the third culture kids arrive, they often find that being a cross-cultural worker on that field is quite different from being a TCK. Many of them are disappointed. Their parents may then favor them in attempt to make the experience better for them. We would like to make the following recommendations for the cross-cultural workers